Blessing of the Bikes explained

The Blessing of the Bikes, also The Blessing of the Bicycles, is an annual tradition in which riders of motorcycles or bicycles are blessed by a priest in the hope that it will bring safety for the coming season. Many towns hold annual ceremonies to bless motorcycles at the start of the summer.[1] [2] [3]

The first mass blessing of bicycles was held in 1999 at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine in New York City. Since its beginning the ceremony has been ostensibly non-denominational, focusing more on rider safety than religion. However, the service does include prayers and reading of biblical passages, and bicycles are sprinkled with holy water.[4] A brief memorial service is held to acknowledge riders who have died in the previous year.[5] [6]

The popularity of the service has encouraged other localities to follow suit. Annual blessings are held from Burlington, Massachusetts[7] to Los Angeles[8] to Melbourne[9] and incorporate varying degrees of emphasis on religion, environmentalism, fitness, cyclists' rights, and safety.

In 2013, Good Samaritan Hospital celebrated their 10th Annual Blessing of the Bikes in Los Angeles[10]

In 2018, in Rennes (France), a blessing of cyclists, bicycles and scooters took place in the presence of 600 participants.[11]

In 2023 in Nancy cathedral (France), the bishop [12] blessed the bikes and scooters.[13]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Motorcycle riders take part in 10th annual 'Blessing of the Bikes'. May 8, 2010. Maynard, Shannon. Michigan Live.
  2. Web site: Lakeshore Blessing of the Bikes.
  3. Web site: Southern Maryland Blessing of the Bikes. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110724071346/http://www.somd.org/blessingofthebikes/. 2011-07-24.
  4. News: Blessing Wheels and the Spirit for Perilous Travels. May 16, 1999. The New York Times . Paul . Zielbauer . April 16, 2010.
  5. News: Dozens Pedal to Blessing of the Bicycles. CBS News. April 18, 2009. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20110717110042/http://it.truveo.com/Dozens-Pedal-To-Blessing-Of-The-Bicycles/id/3174734615. July 17, 2011.
  6. Web site: Holy Rollers. Time Out New York. April 23, 2008. Clements. Erin . dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120901233022/http://www.timeout.com/newyork/things-to-do/holy-rollers. September 1, 2012.
  7. Web site: Religion Notes. May 1, 2009. Burlington Union. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20121107220433/http://www.wickedlocal.com/burlington/news/lifestyle/religion/x1660803451/Religion-notes. November 7, 2012.
  8. Web site: Blessing of the Bicycles. Good Samaritan Hospital. 2013.
  9. Web site: Blessing of the Bicycles. City of Yarra. 2008.
  10. Web site: Blessing of the Bicycles. Good Samaritan Hospital. 2013.
  11. Web site: SIMON . Pascal . 2018-09-30 . VIDEO. A Rennes, une bénédiction des cyclistes, vélos et trottinettes . 2023-09-25 . Ouest-France.fr . fr.
  12. https://www.estrepublicain.fr/societe/2023/09/20/une-benediction-par-l-eveque-pour-les-velos-les-trottinettes-et-leurs-utilisateurs
  13. News: Cheffer . Stéphanie . Nancy : une bénédiction originale par l'évêque à l'issue de la messe . www.estrepublicain.fr . FR-fr.

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